Strong Pitching Leads Warriors to Sweep of Northwestern
Game 1
Game 1
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Midland | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 |
|
Northwestern | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
Game 2
Game 2
| Final (10) | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | R | H | E | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Midland | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 7 | 3 |
|
Northwestern | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 12 | 1 |
ORANGE CITY, Iowa – Midland University traveled to Orange City, Iowa to face Northwestern College in a Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) doubleheader on Friday. Behind strong pitching in both games, the Warriors earned the sweep over the Red Raiders, winning 1-0 in game one and then battling for a 3-2 win in extra innings for the sweep.
GAME ONE: Midland 1, Northwestern 0
After a deadlock through four innings, the Warriors gained momentum in the 5th inning courtesy of consecutive singles from Connor Petersen and Hadyn Crawford. Petersen capitalized on a fielder's choice and a throwing error by the Red Raiders, crossing home plate to notch the lone run of the game.
Owen Kelley held the Northwestern offense at bay for the entire game to earn the shutout win. Across seven innings pitched, he allowed two hits and three walks while keeping the scoreboard clean with no runs and striking out six batters.
Statistical Standouts
- Joshua Hardamon: 1-for-3, 3B
- Connor Petersen: 1-for-3, R
- Hadyn Crawford: 2-for-2
- Owen Kelley: 7.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 6K
GAME TWO: Midland 3, Northwestern 2 (10 innings)
Jacob Liquori kickstarted the Warriors' offense in the 1st inning with a solid single, setting the stage for a promising start. Alec Villanueva reached base on a Red Raiders' error, while Joshua Hardamon's fielder's choice pushed Liquori to third. Deven Gomez then delivered a single, bringing in the game's first run in Hardamon.
Following three scoreless innings, Midland reignited its momentum in the 5th. Hadyn Crawford and Tyler Struck set the stage with a walk and a hit by pitch. With Ben Kirkland entering as a courtesy runner, he advanced to third on a groundout and then scored on a wild pitch, extending the lead to 2-0.
Northwestern ended its scoring drought in the bottom of the 8th inning, leveling the game at 2-2, thanks in part to a single followed by a double to start the inning.
After being held in check in their last scheduled at-bat, the Warriors turned to Cody Kent in the bottom of the 9th. He took the mound with a mission to extend the game and despite facing a bases-loaded situation with just one out, he sent the game into extra innings with a fielder's choice and a strikeout.
Liquori reached on a fielder's choice and then stole second to put the go-ahead run in scoring position. Alec Villanueva's single to the left side advanced Liquori to third and then he dashed home on a wild pitch, putting the Warriors in front once more.
Brandon Creps came on to close out the game in the 10th. He shut down the Red Raiders, securing the save and sealing the Warriors' hard-fought 3-2 victory in extra innings.
Statistical Standouts
- Jacob Liquori: 2-for-5, R, SB
- Joshua Hardamon: 1-for-5, R
- Deven Gomez: 1-for-4, RBI
- Zach Vincent: 7.0 IP, 6 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K
- Cody Kent: 1.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
- Brandon Creps: 1.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
Midland (26-15, 12-10 GPAC) will return home to host Northwestern (21-21, 12-10 GPAC) in the final two games of the weekend series on Saturday. The conference doubleheader is scheduled for a 2:00 p.m. first pitch at Moller Field in Fremont, Nebraska. It will be Alumni Day for the Warriors as they welcome back past players and families to the ballpark.